Military and police officials, together with civilian authorities, vowed to ensure the continued success of law enforcement operations in Catanduanes following the declaration of a stable internal peace and security last week.
The Memorandum of Understanding was signed last Dec. 3, 2024 at the Capitol Dome by Governor Joseph C. Cua, Philippine Army 9th Infantry Division Commander Major General Noe Alberto Q. Peñafiel, Philippine National Police Bicol Regional Director Brigadier General Andre P. Dizon, and Philippine Coast Guard Region 5 Commodore Ivan E. Roldan, who was represented by CG Catanduanes Ltjg. Kenny E. Villafuerte.
During the occasion also attended by provincial officials, heads of national agencies and municipal mayors, the province reached a significant milestone as it officially became insurgency-free, the first in the Bicol region to do so.
In his message, Gov. Cua acknowledged the challenges of achieving peace and security, emphasizing that this success was made possible through the combined efforts of various agencies and departments.
“Indeed, when we ensure that government services reach every corner of our province, we build trust, we build peace,” he stated.
During its 41st Regular Session last Oct. 14, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan led by Vice Gov. Peter C. Cua approved Resolution No. 547-2024 declaring the province in a state of Stable Internal Peace and Security (SIP) Situation upon the recommendation of the Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC).
The legislative body noted that the provincial government, in collaboration with the municipal LGUs, has actively implemented programs and initiatives to address the root causes of insurgency and foster peace and development in the province while the people demonstrated unwavering support for peace and actively participated in community-based initiatives to prevent resurgence of CTG activities.
It cited the military’s Periodic Status Report on the Kilusang Larangang Gerilya 2 (KLG2), Sub-Regional Committee 2 (SRC2) indicating that as of the 2nd quarter of 2024, there are only four (4) remaining members of the New People’s Army (NPA) in the island, including its leadership, and that these members are not active in Catanduanes.
The Office of the Assistant Chief of Staff for Intelligence of the Philippine Army’s 9th Infantry Division also certified that the province is categorized as “cleared” and not included in the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) affected barangays under “Konsolidado, Kinokonsolida, Ekspansyon and Rekoberi (KKER) areas, particularly the Bicol Regional Party Committee.
Last October, the Joint AFP-PNP Intelligence Coordinating Committee approved a declaring the province of Catanduanes as “free from Community Terrorist Group (CTG) Influence and Affectation,” with no recorded NPA-initiated violent incident, IED explosion and arson from CY 2022.
It may be recalled that in 2014, the provincial board had passed a resolution declaring Catanduanes as a Manageable Conflict Area and Development-Ready Province.